What am I going to do with these people?

Exodus 17:1-4 Contemporary English Version

1The Israelites left the desert and moved from one place to another each time the LORD ordered them to. Once they camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for them to drink. 2The people started complaining to Moses, " Give us some water!" Moses replied, " Why are you complaining to me and trying to put the LORD to the test?" 3But the people were thirsty and kept on complaining, " Moses, did you bring us out of Egypt just to let us and our families and our animals die of thirst?" 4Then Moses prayed to the LORD, " What am I going to do with these people? They are about to stone me to death!"

Poor Moses! As I read more of Exodus, I feel sorry for him. Here, he has taken on Pharaoh and brought the Israelites out of bondage and all they do is complain. Really? Would you rather be oppressed by the Egyptians, than to be out of Egypt and moving toward the Promised Land? It seems that might be the case. If I were Moses, I might even be ready to send them back to captivity.

Is this how we are with God? Are we content with our lot in life or do we complain? Is the grass greener in our neighbor's yard? Do we want to grab hold of the worldly things we released when we became His? In our humanness, I see the tendency to do just that. Does the Lord look down on us and say, " What am I going to do with these people?" I think perhaps He does, and it makes Him sad to know that at times He is not enough, when He should be. Sometimes, I can hear His voice whispering in my ear, "What does it take? Am I not all you need?"

What if He truly was enough, all the time, in everything? In this year of being better, I plan to work on relying on Him for all my needs (not just the things I think I can't do). While I will never get it all right, I can be less of a complainer. I'm sure God will appreciate it!

The Year of Being Better........

Okay everyone, don't get grammatical on me since this post is from the heart. Do you ever get the feeling that you could have done better? As a wife, as a mother, as an employee, or even as a Christian? 2010 closed with all those feelings swimming around in my head. I'm not a bad person, but I realized there was so much I could have done better. That said, 2011 is going to be the year of being better.


My prayer is that I will first be a better Christian, pray more, study His Word more, love Him more. I also want to be a better wife, to be kinder, more loving, generous, respectful....all those things that sometimes I am not. I plan to work on this mothering thing, too. To see my children through the eyes of Jesus.....to be respectful, kind and loving, even when I don't feel that way at all. I'm a pretty good employee, but there are things I can improve on and I'm working to be all I can be.


That said, I look back to the first line of the previous paragraph. If I become a better Christian all the other things should follow, right? At least that's my way of thinking. I read a post on a friend's facebook page, a quote from Rick Warren that says, "Every room of your heart not filled with Jesus will be filled with worry". I think it can be said that if those rooms are devoid of Jesus, Satan will have the opportunity to fill it with more than worry! So praying, studying His Word and loving Him more will help fill those rooms with the good things God has to offer. He alone can provide all, even more than we can ever need. So with His divine help, I plan on 2011 being better, better and better!

Christ gives me the strength to face anything. Philipians 4:13 (CEV)

Remodel Progress - Post 1

A lot has happened since my last post. My coat closet is now my pantry! See the photo here.

The former pantry, now resides in the computer/workout room. It has been repurposed to house all our computer and printer stuff (one day soon). See photos below!

Which left a wall that now looks like this:

After my sweey hubby cut a whole in this wall which used to house the pantry!

More to follow...........

DIY Home Improvement Projects - 2010

Ever had the urge to change things around the house? Me, too! Sometimes my ideas are small and require minimal effort. However, from time to time, the plans are much grander. Here is our list of 7 home improvement projects to complete before Thanksgiving.

1. Enlarge our patio area.

2. Turn closet near kitchen into a pantry.

3. Remove pantry cabinet in kitchen and replace with base cabinet and perhaps a wall cabinet. The pantry cabinet will be repurposed in the computer room or Bob's shop. Cut pass through in wall between kitchen and great room.

4. New countertops for the kitchen! WooHoo!

5. Remove carpet in great room, hallway and computer/workout room. Replace with tiles that resemble wood flooring. Since we cannot match the tiles currently in our kitchen and entry, we will remove and replace those as well. These tiles are not costly and easily replaced when I decide (in a few years) to change!

6. Remove cabinets over toilets and replace with smaller ones. Paint vanities (any color but WHITE)! The cabinets we remove will be used in the laundry room.

7. Paint for great room and kitchen, possibly the hall as well.

My hubby is a great handy man and number 2 on our list is already complete and he is working on number 3. I love that man. I will be posting pics as we complete each project!